CHOICES
At the end of last year Adam & Courtney had a choice to make, on weather or not to continue the farm without Deenie's full time help. It was a scary choice for them, they LOVED farming but the work load was pretty heavy even for three full time workers and now it would just be the two of them. Not to mention they would have to take over task they had never done solo before such as running the CSA sign-up, Ordering the seeds, General Marketing - It was all terrifying, since really the fields is where they like to be. Instead of being to afraid to grow and develop their skills as young entrepreneurs they decide to continue with full force and high hopes. First thing first, we needed more financial income, so in December Courtney and Adam started working at Valley mushroom to help supplement the start up cost just in case they were awful at maintaining and obtaining CSA customers. To their surprise it all went smoothly and successfully!! The next part was organizing the markets we were going to sign up for - for years we just attended the Kentville Farmers Market but knew it was time to expand our market base. We applied to various markets and got one yes out of four applications. Which was great, but we still needed at least one more market to reach our goal. While in the processing of establishing CSA drop off locations, we were offered our very own opportunity to run a farm market right on Bedford's main highway, 3 days a week - That's two more market days then we aimed for! So the terrifying leap of faith has been taken and the entrepreneurial spirit has taken hold!
STARTUP
Now that the CSA & Markets had taken root it was time to plan the season and order the seeds, which all went smoothly until the anxiously long winter kept its grip on mother nature. Courtney was tittering back and forth over to start planting in her unheated greenhouse or to wait a little longer to ensure all goes well. Her original plan would be delayed if she didn't plant but it would be delayed anyways if her plants died, so she waited and low and behold the only up and running greenhouse collapsed! So there it was, the season was starting when the fields were ready and that was that. We were able to salvage both greenhouse structures and the plastic which I am so grateful for! And even though we won't be able to start deliveries June 5th but instead on June 19th, I think will live with this little set back.
Below: Don & Deenie discussing what to do with the greenhouse once we take it all apart. Ultimately we decided to put part of it back up just enough for the seeding trays that are filling up the back room in the farm house.
At the end of last year Adam & Courtney had a choice to make, on weather or not to continue the farm without Deenie's full time help. It was a scary choice for them, they LOVED farming but the work load was pretty heavy even for three full time workers and now it would just be the two of them. Not to mention they would have to take over task they had never done solo before such as running the CSA sign-up, Ordering the seeds, General Marketing - It was all terrifying, since really the fields is where they like to be. Instead of being to afraid to grow and develop their skills as young entrepreneurs they decide to continue with full force and high hopes. First thing first, we needed more financial income, so in December Courtney and Adam started working at Valley mushroom to help supplement the start up cost just in case they were awful at maintaining and obtaining CSA customers. To their surprise it all went smoothly and successfully!! The next part was organizing the markets we were going to sign up for - for years we just attended the Kentville Farmers Market but knew it was time to expand our market base. We applied to various markets and got one yes out of four applications. Which was great, but we still needed at least one more market to reach our goal. While in the processing of establishing CSA drop off locations, we were offered our very own opportunity to run a farm market right on Bedford's main highway, 3 days a week - That's two more market days then we aimed for! So the terrifying leap of faith has been taken and the entrepreneurial spirit has taken hold!
STARTUP
Now that the CSA & Markets had taken root it was time to plan the season and order the seeds, which all went smoothly until the anxiously long winter kept its grip on mother nature. Courtney was tittering back and forth over to start planting in her unheated greenhouse or to wait a little longer to ensure all goes well. Her original plan would be delayed if she didn't plant but it would be delayed anyways if her plants died, so she waited and low and behold the only up and running greenhouse collapsed! So there it was, the season was starting when the fields were ready and that was that. We were able to salvage both greenhouse structures and the plastic which I am so grateful for! And even though we won't be able to start deliveries June 5th but instead on June 19th, I think will live with this little set back.
Below: Don & Deenie discussing what to do with the greenhouse once we take it all apart. Ultimately we decided to put part of it back up just enough for the seeding trays that are filling up the back room in the farm house.
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